Chute



June 12, 1923. 1,458,915

- C. M. MUMFORD CHUTE Filed Aug. 10. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor:

/ azg June 12,1923. 1,458,915

C. M. MUMFORD CHUTE Filed Aug. 10 1:302] 2 hts-Sheet 2 Inventor 7.5.; any

Patented June 12, 1923.

titans CHARLES MARSHALLMUMFORD, or. NEWTON CENT R, ivmssaonusn'rrs.v

CHUTE.

Application filed August 10, 1921. Serial No. 491,126.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. MUM- FORD, a citizen of'the; United States, residing at-Neivton Center, in the county of M1Clone point to another. The invention will be herein disclosed as embodied in a spiral chute since especially difficultproblems arise in the .construction and operation of these chutes, althoughit will'be appreciated from an understanding of the invention that many of its features are applicable also to other forms of chutes. I

Usually where a chute'is employed simply to transport articles from an upper to' a lower floor, a spiral construction is employed since it occupies relatively little space. These chutes generally are constructed of sheet metal and are customarily built in standard pitches; that is, four feet to a turn, six feet to a turn, or some other fixed distance, and the gradations between pitches is usually a substantial distance. The result is that only rarely is a chute ofexactly the right pitch for a given location. Usually it is necessary to select the standard pitch that comes closest to that desired. Furthermore, these chutes usually are not banked? but, instead, the elements of the bottom surface are substantially horizontal. A fairly heavy article, therefore, which presents relatively little friction as .it. slides down the chute will travel very rapidly and will be urged outwardly against the outer wall of the chute, due to. centrifugal force. For some purposes this action is not objectionable, but in other cases, as for instance in textile mills, where boxes filled with bobbins are transported in this manner, the heavier loaded boxes are likely to gain such speed that the bobbins will be thrown out of them. This excessive speed also results in breaking the boxes when they come in contact with others at the bottom of the chute. I

A furtherobjection to these prior constructions is that the factors to be taken into consideration in designing a spiral chute for most locations are so many and they affect the design in "so many particulars, that a chute israrely absolutely correct when'it is first assembled. When once setup'it can notbe adjusted, audit is therefore neces sary,-if it is not reasonably satisfactory, to'

take-itdown and put up another chute based on th'e experience gainedin the first instal-" lation.

With these factors in view, itis the chief object of-the present invention to devise a chute construction which" shall be,more universal in character than those-"heretofore", available. The inventionpis directed particularly to providing a construction. which can be adjusted after it has beeninstalled,

and which shall have a relatively 'wide'rang'e of-achustment-so that it canbe used 'in'a reat varie y of locations, and can be ad- 'justed'to the requirements of each individuallocation. The invention also aims to; devisea form of chutewhichcan be man-ufactured more economically than prior con structions.

Thenature-ofthe invention will be read? understood'from-the following descrip tionv when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, and the novel. fea

tures will be particularly pointed out in the" appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, f v V H I v Figurel is-a perspective view of. a "spiral" chute constructed in accordance with the present invention;

tion ofthe chute shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a side shown 1n Fig. 2. g g f The chute shownin the accompanyingj Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a pordrawings comprises two bottom rails desigf; nated at 2 and ,3, respectively, and two side:

rails 4 and 5, respectively, these rails being spaced to form a guideway, forj a b'ox or other carrier or article. The railsf may b either solid or hollow b'ut preferably, con-i sist of pipes or tubes since this construction has ample strength for most purposes and? is much lighter than SOllCl'liLllS.

elevation of the parts The spiral part of the chute is supported by a pipe or column 6 which forms the axis of the spiral and has its lower end mounted in a suitable base 7. The rails are mounted in a series ofsupportlng units which are I filo clamping collar 8 encircling the post 6 and clamped thereon by bolts 9 and 10. A sector-like plate 12 is secured to this clamp by the bolts 10 and forms a support for an adjustable arm 14 having a fiat shank which is secured to the side of the plate 12 by bolts 15 and 16. It will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3 that the bolt 15 forms a pivot for the arm 14, and that the bolt 16 can be placed in any one of a series of holes 17 formed near the outer edge of the plate 12 and located along an arc struck about the axis of the bolt 15. This construction thus permits the adjustment of the arm into various positions of inclination.

The rails 4 and 5 are supported by brackets 18 and 19, respectively, the bottom portions of these brackets consisting of split clamps which embrace the tubular part of the arm 14, and are clamped thereon by bolts 20. The bottom rails 2 and 3 are similarly supported by brackets 22 and 23 which also have split clamps formed integral therewith to embrace the tubular portion of the arm 14, these clamps being secured to the arm by bolts 24. Each of the rails 2 to 5 inclusive is gripped in a clamp 25 having a head that is grooved, as shown at 26, to receive the rail, and is split downwardly from the base of the groove. A bolt 27 extends through these split portions at right angles to the axis of the seat 26, and serves to spring the two jaws of the clamp 25 toward each other and to compress them on the rail and hold it securely. It will be seen that the seat 26 has a circumferential extent of somewhat over 180 so that the clamp will embrace the rail and grip it securely when the bolt 27 is tightened up, but will leave the inner surface of the rail free for contact with the articles conveyed by the chute. Each of these rail holding devices or clamps 25 also has a shank consisting of two ears 28 by means of which it is secured to the bracket on which it is mounted. The brackets 18 and 19 that support the side rails are each provided at its upper or outer end with a lug 29 which is located between the ears 28, and these ears and the lug 29 are secured together by a bolt 30. In order to connect the rail holding device 25 for the bottom rails 2 and 3 with their cooperating clamps 22 and 23, each of these clamps has a boss formed in its upper side which is drilled and tapped to receive the threaded shank of an eye bolt 32, the head of which is located between the ears 28-28 and is secured to these cars by a bolt 33.

It will now be observed that each of these rail holding devices 25 has a universal adjustment. That is, referring for instance to the device which holds the rail 5, Fig. 3, it will be seen that this device can be adjusted angularly in a horizontal plane by movement about the bolt 30 as an axis; it can also be angularly adjusted in a vertical plane about the axis of the arm 14, and it can be moved in another vertical plane at right angles to the two planes just mentioned by swinging the arm 14 on its axis 15. The other device which holds the rail 4 has similar movements, and the holding devices for the rails 2 and 3 can also be adjusted in the same manner, the angular adjustment in a horizontal plane taking place about the axes of the eye members 32. In addition to these adjustments, the rail holding devices can be adjusted toward or from each other on the arm 14, and all these devices can be adjusted in unison by adjusting the arm 14 about the bolt 15. This arm can also be adjusted in a horizontal plane about the axis of the column 6 and it can be raised or lowered on the column.

These adjustments, therefore, permit any reasonable variation in the cross sectional dimensions of the chute, in the pitch of the spiral, and in the banking angle of any given portion of the chute. Consequently, it is an easy matter to set up this chute in approximately its desired condition and then adjust it, or any portions of it, as may be necessary to accommodate the conditions encountered. For instance, in making a spiral chute to carry bobbin boxes, v

as above mentioned, the parts preferably are adjusted so that the boxes come into the spiral in a substantially level position, and the banking angle of the chute increases gradually during the portion of the chute in which the speed of the box is increasing.

The banking angle reaches its maximum at about the point that the speed of the box becomes substantially constant and this banking angle is maintained throughout the greater part of the chute, the angle and the pitch being gradually reduced near the bottom of the chute so that the box will slow up and assume a level position as it reaches the straightaway at the delivery end of the chute. In this manner the box will rest on its bottom during its entire travel through the chute, its contents will not be thrown out, and its speed will be checked at the lower part of the chute so that it will not be broken when it bumps into boxes previously delivered.

As above stated, however, the conditions vary widely with diiterent installations and the nature of the article being conveyed, and the wide range of adjustability afforded by this construction is of great practical advantage in permitting the adjustment of the chute to meet these various conditions. Furthermore, this adjustment can be made after the chute has been set up and tried out, and it can be continued until successive "adjustments "and trials demonstrate that theproper condition has been reached.

WVhile the invention has been herein disclosed as embodied in a. spiral chute, it will readily be appreciated that it is not limited to embodiment in this particular form of chute, but that many of its featuresmay be used to advantage in other chutes, whether straight or curved, the supports for the rail holding devices being selected in accord ance with the circumstances existing in in dividual installations. It will also be un derstood that the invention is susceptibleof embodiment in forms other than that specifically disclosed herein without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rails extending substantially parallel with and closely adjacent to each other and cooperating to form a chute, and means supporting said rails for adjustment to vary the relationship between them.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rails extending substantially parallel With and closely adjacent to each other and cooperating to form a chute, and means supporting said rails for adjustment to vary the cross sectional dimensions of the chute.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rails extending substantially parallel-with and closely adjacent to each other and cooperating to form a chute, and means sup porting said rails foradjustment to modify the pitch of the chute.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rails extending substantially parallel with and closely adjacent to each other and cooperating to form a chute, and means supporting said rails for adjustment to modify the banking angle of the chute.

5. In an apparatus of the character clescribed, the combination of a plurality of rails extending substantially parallel With and closely adjacent to each other and cooperating to form a chute, and devices supporting said rails in their operative positions and enabling them to be adjusted both in unison and also individually.

6. In an apparatus of the character de-v scribed, the combination of bottom and side rails cooperating to form a chute, and a plurality of sets of rail supporting devices spaced apart longitudinally of the chute and supporting the chute, each of said sets in cluding a support adjustable angularly in a plane transverse to said chute.

7. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of bottom and side rails cooperating to form a chute, a plurality of sets of parts supporting said rails at intervals spaced along the chute, each of said sets comprising brackets for supporting the bottom and side rails, a common support on Which the brackets of each set aremounted, and means whereby said support may be adjusted angula rly'in'a plane transverse tothe! chute.

8. In an apparatusof the-character-described,the combination of bottom and side rails cooperating to form a chute, a plurality of sets of parts supporting saidrails at intervals spaced along the chute, each of said sets comprising brackets for supporting the bottom'and sid rails, an arm on whichsaid brackets are mounted for adjustmenttoward and from'each other, and means supporting saidarm for angularadjustment in a'substantially vertical plane.

9. In an apparatus of the character de-Q5- scribed, the combination of bottom and side rails cooperating .to form a chute, a plurality of sets of rail supporting devices spaced apart longitudinallyf'of the chute and-supporting the chute, each of said sets including a plurality of rail holdlng devices and a common support for said devices, and a mounting for said support enabling it to be adjusted in a plane transverse to the chute.

10. In an apparatus of the character de-' scribed, the combination of a plurality of rails cooperating to form'a chute, a plurality of sets of parts supporting said rails atintervals spaced along the chute, eachof said sets comprising brackets for-supporting the individual rails, and acommon support on which the brackets of each set are mounted.

11. In a rail chute, the combination of a rail holding device, and means supporting said device for universal adjustment.

12. In a rail chute, the combination of a rail holding device, and means supporting said device for adjustment in planes extending at substantially right angles to each other.

13. In a rail chute, the combination of a rail holding device, and means supporting said device for adjustment inthree planes extending at substantially right angles'to each other.

column, a series of supporting units mount- 14. A spiral chute comprising an upright, 7115'- ed on said column, and. a plurality of rails supported by said units and cooperating to form a spiral chute, said units comprising" means adjustable to vary the banking angle of'the chute.

15. A spiral chute comprising an upright column, clamps secured to said columnat vertically spaced intervals, arms supported I by said clamps for angular adjustment in a substantially vertical plane, brackets adjusta-bly mounted on said arms, and bottom i and side rails supported by said and cooperating to form a chute. 16. A sp ral chute comprising an upright brackets column, clamps secured to said column at vertically spaced intervals, arms supported by said clamps for angular adjustment in a substantially vertical plane, brackets mounted on said arms, and a rail holding device adjustable on each bracket, said devices supporting a plurality of rails cooperating to form a chute.

17. A spiral chute comprising an upright column, clamps secured to said column at vertically spaced intervals, arms supported by said clam as, brackets mounted on each of said arms for adjustment both toward and from each other and angularly about the arms, and rails supported by said brackets and cooperating to form a chute.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rails cooperating to form a chute, a plurality of sets of parts supporting said rails at intervals spaced along the chute, each of said sets inc-hiding members supporting individual rails for adjustment relatively to each other, and a common support for said members.

19. A spiral chute comprising an upright column, a series of supporting units mounted on said column, and a plurality of rails supported by said units and cooperating to term a spiral chute, said units being adjustable to Vary the pitch of the chute.

20. In a rail chute, the combination of a rail holding device constructed to grip a rail While leaving one side thereof free for the contact therewith of the articles conveyed by said chute, and means for adjustably supporting said device.

CHARLES MARSHALL MUMFORD. 

